Dads and Doughnuts

“That’s my man. He’s the joy of my life.”

Two-year-old Drue at Family Support of Queen Anne’s County.

That’s how Daron ‘Bam’ Phillips describes his two year old son Drue. Bam started coming to Maryland Family Network’s Family Support of Queen Anne’s County to give Drue a chance to play with other kids. But Bam has ended up with his own network of support that is just as important.

“He’s learned a lot being with the other kids,” Bam says. “Everybody here at the Center is connected and we try to make sure our kids are connected in that same way. It’s special.”

Bam’s connection comes in the form of a men’s group at the Center called Dads and Doughnuts. It is a chance to give and receive support from other fathers who have young children. Bam says he’s learned a lot from this group and is always reminded of what’s most important.

“No matter what, always let your kids know how much you love them. How much you care for them. How much you’re going to be there for them. Because tomorrow is not a promise.”

Bam knows that sometimes men can be reticent to ask for help. So his message to other fathers in need of support is a simple one: “Come on down. Spend some time down here. See what you can learn. Everybody at the Center is there to help you.”

At MFN’s Family Support Centers, parents like Bam attend classes to strengthen their parenting abilities and learn life skills such as stress management. Watch him explain in his own words what he has learned at Family Support of Queen Anne’s County.

Maryland Family Network's mission is to ensure that young children and their families have the resources to learn and succeed.